Ypsilanti man identified as second victim of plane crash in Afghanistan

Brad Hasler, 6 others killed when National Airlines cargo plane goes down at Bagram Air Base

Posted: 4:36 PM, April 30, 2013Updated: 4:36 PM, April 30, 2013

DETROIT - An Ypsilanti man has been identified as the second victim of a cargo plane crash in Afghanistan Monday.

The family of Michael Sheets issued the following written statement Tuesday afternoon.

Michael Sheets of Ypsilanti died suddenly on Monday, April 29, 2013. Michael was a member of the crew onboard a National Air Cargo plane that crashed in Afghanistan.Michael had been employed by National Air Cargo. While there were inherent risks involved in his position, Michael assumed these risks to provide for his family. Michael was a loving and devoted son and brother and leaves behind countless friends and family including his mother Margaret Madigan, brothers James Stubbs and John Stubbs, his father Darryl Sheets and fiancé Anna Love and her two children who Michael loved as his own. The family requests privacy at this time.

A pilot from Monroe was identified as another civilians killed. Jamie Brokaw, 33, was a first officer pilot with National Airlines, reports the Monroe evening news.

Brokaw was originally from Three Rivers, which is west of Coldwater and northeast of South Bend, Ind. He lived in Monroe on N. Custer Rd. where he operated South Michigan Aviation, a flight instruction company. He and his wife Elizabeth were only married for about a year.

Also killed was Capt. Brad Hasler of Riverview. "We are devastated by this loss," his family said. "Brad leaves behind a pregnant wife, due in October and their daughter and his step-daughter."

A pilot from Monroe was also identified one of the civilians killed. Jamie Brokaw, 33, was a first officer pilot with National Airlines, reports the Monroe evening news.

Brokaw was originally from Three Rivers, which is west of Coldwater and northeast of South Bend, Ind. He lived in Monroe on N. Custer Rd. where he operated South Michigan Aviation, a flight instruction company. He and his wife Elizabeth were only married for about a year.

National specializes in moving freight for the military and businesses, as well as charter passenger service in the Middle East.

A total of seven people, all U.S. citizens, died in the Boeing 747-400 crash, which happened shortly after takeoff from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Five of the victims were from Michigan.

The plane, operated by National Airlines, was en route to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

"We are devastated by this loss," his family said. "Brad leaves behind a pregnant wife, due in October and their daughter and his step-daughter."

National specializes in moving freight for the military and businesses, as well as charter passenger service in the Middle East.

The cause of the crash has not been determined.

But Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said his group shot down the aircraft and that "several foreign soldiers were killed."

That claim could not be immediately verified. But in the past, the Taliban has exaggerated casualty figures.

"This is a devastating loss for our family and we'll work diligently with authorities to find the cause," National Airlines President Glen Joerger said in the statement. "Our focus at this time is on the family members of those we've lost, and on assisting the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority in their investigations."

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